Texas Central Project

[Slick Vik]

What's so negative about his comment? Seems like you're negative on busses. Public transpiration is more than just trains. Don't get stuck on your ways of overlooking the popularity of busses in this city, especially with commuters.

Take a grammar class.

[102IAHexpress]

You do know that DART also is their bus system? Do you even ride DART?

 

http://www.dart.org/schedules/schedules.asp?zeon=bus

 

Look I even provided a source!

 

EDIT: It literally says DART Buses, DART Rail, and Trinity Express! There you go....you don't even need to click!

 

I will admit I am not a DART expert.

 

But it looks like their first choice of Dallas stations is an empty lot on the DARTrail lines. Do any DART busses go near the proposed Dallas station? I don't know, like I said I'm not a DART expert but it looks like only dart trains. So maybe the website was inferring dart trains? When I hear DART I think of trains but I suppose we can agree to disagree on that. But when I hear Metro and not specifically metro rail, then I only think busses.

[cspwal]

The difference is they've announced a station location in Dallas. They haven't in Houston. The rest is sales copy they came up with in less than a week to have a visible website.

[102IAHexpress]

Take a grammar class.

 

be nice vic. Life is too short.

 

busses sound cooler than buses anyways.

[Luminare]

I will admit I am not a DART expert.

 

But it looks like their first choice of Dallas stations is an empty lot on the DARTrail lines. Do any DART busses go near the proposed Dallas station? I don't know, like I said I'm not a DART expert but it looks like only dart trains. So maybe the website was inferring dart trains? When I hear DART I think of trains but I suppose we can agree to disagree on that. But when I hear Metro and not specifically metro rail, then I only think busses.

 

Thats such one-dimensional thinking....you seriously don't think that their bus system doesn't at all connect with their rail system? Who does that? You don't have to be native to make the logical step in thinking to say that with confidence...yes they do connect and I'm sure there are buses at Union Station in Dallas and this is coming from someone who doesn't live in Dallas, but then again I'm actually using my brain...

[102IAHexpress]

Thats such one-dimensional thinking....you seriously don't think that their bus system doesn't at all connect with their rail system? Who does that? You don't have to be native to make the logical step in thinking to say that with confidence...yes they do connect and I'm sure there are buses at Union Station in Dallas and this is coming from someone who doesn't live in Dallas, but then again I'm actually using my brain...

 

Have you ever traveled on businesses?

 

Are you saying a business traveler would exit the HSR station in Dallas, take a DART train then take a DART bus to his final destination?

 

no one is going to reinvent the wheel. People will leave the station like they do any airport in any major city and get picked up by a friend, hail a taxi, get an Uber and/or maybe take DART rail.

 

Maybe having the Houston station on our light rail in in downtown is what the developers originally wanted but maybe the true costs are making them think else where. I don't know, but the station does not have to connect to every known mode of transportation to make a profit. Easy parking, quick pickup are what business travelers want.

[Luminare]

Have you ever traveled on businesses?

 

Are you saying a business traveler would exit the HSR station in Dallas, take a DART train then take a DART bus to his final destination?

 

no one is going to reinvent the wheel. People will leave the station like they do any airport in any major city and get picked up by a friend, hail a taxi, get an Uber and/or maybe take DART rail.

 

Maybe having the Houston station on our light rail in in downtown is what the developers originally wanted but maybe the true costs are making them think else where. I don't know, but the station does not have to connect to every known mode of transportation to make a profit. Easy parking, quick pickup are what business travelers want.

 

Since you like sources:

 

Here is a Downtown system map for DART's Buses which connects to each rail station via various routes.

 

https://www.dart.org/maps/pdfmaps/downtowndallasmap17aug15.pdf

 

Lets follow this logic...you say that Buses are such a great option and a very popular option, but then you ask who in their right mind would take a bus to their final destination? This statement also makes you quite the elitist making bold claims that business people are a class that seemingly defies all travel conventions.

 

I also find it amazing that people seem to think that HSR will just have one single pricing. Trains work on the same principle in regards to pricing just like airplanes. You have your First Class and then Business Class and Economy. What a novel concept! Stratified pricing!

 

Why reinvent the wheel when I can pull a dozen or so real world examples. Maybe I should tell you about how I'm getting to my Hostel once I'm in Berlin. I'm literally interchanging from different modes of transit which are all interconnected and depend upon one another. I will be landing at an Airport then Taking a Bus to a Train and then Walking to the Hostel.

 

Everyone makes these kinds of connections every single day not only in Berlin...but any city that has multiple and stratified modes of transportation.

 

I actually disagree with SlickVik....you need to go to a Debate class!

Edited September 3, 2015 by Luminare

[IronTiger]

Exactly.  Can you imagine on riding the train all the way from Dallas and then having to take a taxi or rent a car because there is no place to walk to or decent transit options?

 

That's the MO of most big airports, with rail access being either very new or still out of the question. If the TCR was meant for business travelers, as is repeated by both sides of this argument, usually the "transportation" issue is picked by a hotel shuttle.

 

If you're talking about riders from the Smithlands station to the TMC, that's exactly my point. They ride for a station or two and get off. It's a park and ride. There are park and riders and homeless people on the light rail. Of course there are exceptions but that's the bulk.  If they could they would park in their respective hospital but they can't so they park in the surface lot across from smithlands and ride for a station or two.

 

I almost feel like ridership numbers for our light rail should eliminate the numbers from the smithlands station. That station must inflate numbers by the thousands. The only reason they ride is because parking is limited in the TMC and their companies subsidize the parking and Qcards.

 

That's not a total knock on our light rail. It is popular as a park and ride for upper middle class riders from the med center. Which is to say people like their cars but hate expensive parking. A HSR station in the NW mall parking lot makes a lot of sense from a business perspective.

So you both praise the light rail as being popular with the upper middle class riders but also a free ride for the homeless? This is why Luminare and others don't take you seriously.

[IronTiger]

If Northwest Mall wasn't a good site because of its lack of connections to rail, what if the final agreement included some sort of light rail along the Washington corridor (along the freight line, not through the road) that would connect it to downtown? Would it be a decent compromise?

[102IAHexpress]

 

So you both praise the light rail as being popular with the upper middle class riders but also a free ride for the homeless? This is why Luminare and others don't take you seriously.

 

Well there are multiple stations on the line. The homeless love the red line between Preston station and Wheeler station. TMC commuters like it between Smithlands and Herman hospital (I forgot the station name).

 

My girlfriend is a doctor at Methodist. She lives at IMT apartments across from Reliant Park station. She routinely takes the rail from her apt to Dryden. Some of her colleagues who live in the burbs park at smithlands and ride Dryden. I live in Downtown, my girldfriend would never ride the rail all the way into downtown. She would rather drive. Too many homeless people for too much time. It's one thing for a station or two it's another for 40 minutes.

 

I ride the rail almost everyday. I also ride the bus almost everyday. I live in downtown. If others don't want to take me seriously that doesn't bother me much, but I'm not going to ignore my observations either.

[Slick Vik]

That's a false assumption. There are thousands of BUS riders who are forced to use the light rail. They chose to start there mode of transportation on a different mode but are then forced to transfer to something else.

If it makes you feel better knowing the ridership numbers are high because of the busses that feed it and the park and riders who can't find parking, well I hope that gives you comfort. But luckily the investors of this HSR care more about profit than a warm happy feeling. They will make wise business decisions because that's the obligation they owe their investors, contrast that versus putting a light rail or bus line where policy makers deem it more popular or HAIFers for that matter.

That's how any system with rail works, buses feed into the rail

[Slick Vik]

If you're talking about riders from the Smithlands station to the TMC, that's exactly my point. They ride for a station or two and get off. It's a park and ride. There are park and riders and homeless people on the light rail. Of course there are exceptions but that's the bulk. If they could they would park in their respective hospital but they can't so they park in the surface lot across from smithlands and ride for a station or two.

I almost feel like ridership numbers for our light rail should eliminate the numbers from the smithlands station. That station must inflate numbers by the thousands. The only reason they ride is because parking is limited in the TMC and their companies subsidize the parking and Qcards.

That's not a total knock on our light rail. It is popular as a park and ride for upper middle class riders from the med center. Which is to say people like their cars but hate expensive parking. A HSR station in the NW mall parking lot makes a lot of sense from a business perspective.

I guess we should eliminate 100% of park and ride numbers also then. By the way all the park and ride combined ridership is less than the original red line. What a success.

[Luminare]

Well there are multiple stations on the line. The homeless love the red line between Preston station and Wheeler station. TMC commuters like it between Smithlands and Herman hospital (I forgot the station name).

 

My girlfriend is a doctor at Methodist. She lives at IMT apartments across from Reliant Park station. She routinely takes the rail from her apt to Dryden. Some of her colleagues who live in the burbs park at smithlands and ride Dryden. I live in Downtown, my girldfriend would never ride the rail all the way into downtown. She would rather drive. Too many homeless people for too much time. It's one thing for a station or two it's another for 40 minutes.

 

I ride the rail almost everyday. I also ride the bus almost everyday. I live in downtown. If others don't want to take me seriously that doesn't bother me much, but I'm not going to ignore my observations either.

 

I honestly am not bothered by the homeless. They aren't bothering anyone. Homeless are people too. I'm sorry they aren't working in the TMC or live in Downtown. Here you reveal the main reason why no one is taking your comments seriously and that's because you not only sound like an elitist, but you are an elitist and it shows in your comments. Sure I come off as a "know it all" That's the casualty of being a generalist and wanting to know everything, and sometimes when I'm passionate about a topic I rub elbows with people who aren't similar to me. While I a few pages ago said that I disagreed with MaxConcrete at least he has conviction and is passionate about what he is talking about. You on the other hand are simply not that and that statement proves it.

[102IAHexpress]

I honestly am not bothered by the homeless. They aren't bothering anyone. Homeless are people too. I'm sorry they aren't working in the TMC or live in Downtown. Here you reveal the main reason why no one is taking your comments seriously and that's because you not only sound like an elitist, but you are an elitist and it shows in your comments. Sure I come off as a "know it all" That's the casualty of being a generalist and wanting to know everything, and sometimes when I'm passionate about a topic I rub elbows with people who aren't similar to me. While I a few pages ago said that I disagreed with MaxConcrete at least he has conviction and is passionate about what he is talking about. You on the other hand are simply not that and that statement proves it.

 

An elitist that rides the bus and train? LOL Do you even know what the word means?

 

I'm not anti-homeless. If I was I wouldn't live in downtown. I get bummed everyday. If it bothered me I would move. What part of town do you live in?

 

Are you really surprised that well off people generally do not want to ride our light rail for more than a few stations if at all? Seriously? are you really surprised?

 

I get that yall want trains because trains are cool and other cool cities have them. I get that you want Houston to be elite like those other cities "world class" even.

 

But I instead care about people and want a system that moves the most amount of people, safely, cleanly, and efficiently. Buses are the best option for a city like Houston.

 

I get angry watching an almost empty green line train that cost millions while I see people wait in the heat or rain waiting on the #50 bus. It's the elite who don't actually use public transportation who live out in the burbs that try to divert precious public dollars onto trains when the people that rely on buses are getting less and less reliable bus service. It's not right. It's not fair. Come live in the city and see what I'm talking about.

Edited September 3, 2015 by 102IAHexpress

[cspwal]

I also find it amazing that people seem to think that HSR will just have one single pricing. Trains work on the same principle in regards to pricing just like airplanes. You have your First Class and then Business Class and Economy. What a novel concept! Stratified pricing!

I was thinking about the stratified pricing thing some. Trains don't just have multiple different classes (first class, business, coach, box cars tied on to the back with rope) they also can be express or non-express.

I could see TCR maybe putting few more stations in along the way, but only run a few trains that stop at them. The stations would only need to be two platforms on either side with a passing track in the middle. And then you could have a train that's competitive with flying, but costs $75-$150 and you can have a cheaper train that stops a lot but still is faster than driving for $30 or so.

And that would shut up some of the TCR critics - they'd see a tangible benefit as opposed to intangibles like increased property tax revenue

Edited September 3, 2015 by cspwal

[BigFootsSocks]

You guys are all really stupid for getting so caught up on rail in this High Speed Rail thread in the train subforum.

Wait. Wait a second here.

[Slick Vik]

An elitist that rides the bus and train? LOL Do you even know what the word means?

I'm not anti-homeless. If I was I wouldn't live in downtown. I get bummed everyday. If it bothered me I would move. What part of town do you live in?

Are you really surprised that well off people generally do not want to ride our light rail for more than a few stations if at all? Seriously? are you really surprised?

I get that yall want trains because trains are cool and other cool cities have them. I get that you want Houston to be elite like those other cities "world class" even.

But I instead care about people and want a system that moves the most amount of people, safely, cleanly, and efficiently. Buses are the best option for a city like Houston.

I get angry watching an almost empty green line train that cost millions while I see people wait in the heat or rain waiting on the #50 bus. It's the elite who don't actually use public transportation who live out in the burbs that try to divert precious public dollars onto trains when the people that rely on buses are getting less and less reliable bus service. It's not right. It's not fair. Come live in the city and see what I'm talking about.

Have you taken the bus since the new system was rolled out? It's all about frequency which matters most to bus riders. Ask someone who has ridden a bus and a rail and see what percentage say they prefer riding a bus? It's a necessity but the more rail the better.

[ADCS]

An elitist that rides the bus and train? LOL Do you even know what the word means?

 

I'm not anti-homeless. If I was I wouldn't live in downtown. I get bummed everyday. If it bothered me I would move. What part of town do you live in?

 

Are you really surprised that well off people generally do not want to ride our light rail for more than a few stations if at all? Seriously? are you really surprised?

 

I get that yall want trains because trains are cool and other cool cities have them. I get that you want Houston to be elite like those other cities "world class" even.

 

But I instead care about people and want a system that moves the most amount of people, safely, cleanly, and efficiently. Buses are the best option for a city like Houston.

 

I get angry watching an almost empty green line train that cost millions while I see people wait in the heat or rain waiting on the #50 bus. It's the elite who don't actually use public transportation who live out in the burbs that try to divert precious public dollars onto trains when the people that rely on buses are getting less and less reliable bus service. It's not right. It's not fair. Come live in the city and see what I'm talking about.

 

Houston has plenty of buses. Frequent access to ridership has just increased by leaps and bounds. If there's anything Metro can't be criticized for at this time, it's ignoring the nuts-and-bolts in favor of glamour projects.

[102IAHexpress]

Have you taken the bus since the new system was rolled out? It's all about frequency which matters most to bus riders. Ask someone who has ridden a bus and a rail and see what percentage say they prefer riding a bus? It's a necessity but the more rail the better.

 

I agree about the frequency. 

 

But what's interesting is there was a unique opportunity to observe which mode people prefer train or bus. For a short period of a few months the 50 bus temporarily ran down Texas ave. Up until the new bus rollout I could exit the back of JP Morgan Chase and ride it to Annunciation Catholic Church in front of minute maid. Sometimes it wasn't there when I was exiting so I would just walk to church. What's interesting is the number of people who waited for that bus even though they could have taken the new green/purple line out to the east side. they were preferring to wait for the bus versus riding the new rail.

[Sparrow]

People like rail over buses. There have been many studies conducted. There is indeed a general bias. So meet the people half-way. Make the buses more like trains so they can't tell the difference.

 

http://www.wsj.com/news/interactive/BUSES0927

 

 

[Luminare]

People like rail over buses. There have been many studies conducted. There is indeed a general bias. So meet the people half-way. Make the buses more like trains so they can't tell the difference.

 

http://www.wsj.com/news/interactive/BUSES0927

 

Completely agree. Its why BRT has been successful where its been implemented. Even investing in dedicated bus lanes that are clearly marked like bike lanes also helps a great deal.

[Slick Vik]

I agree about the frequency.

But what's interesting is there was a unique opportunity to observe which mode people prefer train or bus. For a short period of a few months the 50 bus temporarily ran down Texas ave. Up until the new bus rollout I could exit the back of JP Morgan Chase and ride it to Annunciation Catholic Church in front of minute maid. Sometimes it wasn't there when I was exiting so I would just walk to church. What's interesting is the number of people who waited for that bus even though they could have taken the new green/purple line out to the east side. they were preferring to wait for the bus versus riding the new rail.

A lot of people didn't even know the new rail lines were open.

[102IAHexpress]

People like rail over buses. There have been many studies conducted. There is indeed a general bias. So meet the people half-way. Make the buses more like trains so they can't tell the difference.

 

http://www.wsj.com/news/interactive/BUSES0927

 

I agree with that to a certain extent. But I would conclude that not everyone has that general bias but instead only people who don't ride much of either will probably prefer a picture of a train versus a picture of a bus, which is what a lot of those studies are based on. Also the preference/bias depends on location. Perhaps the bus has a shameful stigma in Los Angeles but in Europe there's no shame at all.

 

I would conclude that people who actually have used both would not have the same negative reaction towards the bus. I think people will ultimately favor transit that is speedy, comfortable and reliable regardless of mode.

 

I don't know how to post hyperlinks on here but there's a article from the Atlantic City Lab on The Myth That Everyone Naturally Prefers Trains to Buses.

 

Regardless I am in favor of BRT. BRT is what Houston needs.

[Slick Vik]

Completely agree. Its why BRT has been successful where its been implemented. Even investing in dedicated bus lanes that are clearly marked like bike lanes also helps a great deal.

BRT is good until the demand is too much. I took it in Leon Mexico, Bogota Colombia, Quito Ecuador, Mexico City and Istanbul. In every case the buses were packed despite 2-3 minute frequency, causing many people to not be able to get in and keep waiting. At that point heavy rail is needed. So why not just build it to begin with if you know the demand is pent up? BRT is ok for a speculative route but that's about it.

Edited September 3, 2015 by Slick Vik

[Slick Vik]

Some new info on the HSR would be great.

And yes, i will admit that I have a strong dislike for buses. Not that i don't see the utility of them, I just didn't get super excited about the "reimagined" routes because to me, and probably me only, it seems like Metro is patting themselves on the back and the satisfaction with their new plan will inhibit planning future rail projects.

Just my two cents, not trying to spur an argument over buses, haha.

It's a remarkable change. I'm shocked Houston had the foresight to do this honestly

[Slick Vik]

On the bus v train debate, my experience is that buses cater to those that do not have a car and need them for mobility. Trains cater to those who prefer the consistency and ease of use. Yes I'm generalizing and yes there are exceptions.

As a business traveler, colleagues and I take rail when it's available, but not buses. Even in a city like Chicago, it's train and walk or if the walk is too far/too cold we hail a cab.

I'd be quite happy to see light rail down the washington corridor. And I'm the same person who has no desire to see the HSR go down that same corridor.

Or those that don't want to pay for parking.

Perhaps true for cities with a heavy rail option. Houston has no heavy rail, so I'm not sure that argument furthers our discussion. In Houston our light rail caters mostly to homeless people and people who park their car near a station and ride for a station or two to their final destination. In Houston commuter busses are very popular. The park and ride system works well. Perhaps that's what the HSR station in Houston will be like?

And It's ASLO my experience that business travelers prefer taxi's and Uber, which is to say they prefer cars once they get off the train or plane.

What does aslo mean?

[102IAHexpress]

 

A lot of people didn't even know the new rail lines were open.

 

Not these people. You can see the new rail line in operation from that corner.

[102IAHexpress]

 

BRT is ok for a speculative route but that's about it.

 

Which is perfect for Houston. Houston is dynamic and always changing. Routes need to be dynamic as well. Unless we enact zoning and start doing some major city central planning, BRT is the best compromise.

[cspwal]

FYI 102IAHexpress you can just paste the URL in and it will auto become a link

[ADCS]

   

Which is perfect for Houston. Houston is dynamic and always changing. Routes need to be dynamic as well. Unless we enact zoning and start doing some major city central planning, BRT is the best compromise.

 

A lack of zoning actually helps heavy rail - the line is fixed, but the use of the surrounding property is not. That will lead to more development more quickly that takes advantage of the heavy rail line.

[Slick Vik]

  

Which is perfect for Houston. Houston is dynamic and always changing. Routes need to be dynamic as well. Unless we enact zoning and start doing some major city central planning, BRT is the best compromise.

On some routes like bellaire and westheimer west to highway 6 but inner city should be rail I think.

[cloud713]

That's not going to happen either, as there's no good way to get light rail out there. There aren't many streets wide enough for light rail between Downtown and Northwest Mall. So, buses it is.

What if they built a green/purple light rail extension down Memorial to N Post Oak and then up to the NW station?

Build the line into 2 existing lanes of Memorial where you can still drive on it/share the road with the trains, so you don't have to widen the road through park land and ritzy residential neighborhoods.

[IronTiger]

What if they built a green/purple light rail extension down Memorial to N Post Oak and then up to the NW station?

Build the line into 2 existing lanes of Memorial where you can still drive on it/share the road with the trains, so you don't have to widen the road through park land and ritzy residential neighborhoods.

 

Yeah, no. Part of the reason why they're changing Allen Parkway was because Memorial Parkway essentially served the same purpose, and actually went somewhere instead of curving south to become Kirby. Plus, you'll still run into the same problems as it would conflict with Memorial and Rice Military.

 

 

Edited September 4, 2015 by IronTiger

[cloud713]

Yeah, no. Part of the reason why they're changing Allen Parkway was because Memorial Parkway essentially served the same purpose, and actually went somewhere instead of curving south to become Kirby. Plus, you'll still run into the same problems as it would conflict with Memorial and Rice Military.

Im not sure I see your issue with a Memorial line other than the "plus.." In which I would say that stretch of Memorial Drive needs to be trenched between Shepherd and Memorial Park anyways..

[curbur]

 

Though the route remains a work in progress, the company has plans for only three stations, in Houston, Dallas and Grimes County near the Bryan/College Station area.

 

http://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/08/texas-bullet-train-moving-forward-despite-obstacle/

 

.. .. . There goes any chance of this thing not being a huge detriment to Cypress. 62 trains a day means roughly 31 from each station, and a generous schedule of how long they'd be open per day let's say is 6am-12am, so (18*60)/31 is roughly every 35 min. You're telling me that all the newer Cypress neighborhoods south of 290 will have to wait 3-5 min EVERY 30 min to cross the tracks and get to where nearly all the restaurnts and major retail centers are located? Not to mention the majority of the homes going up within a mile south of this rail corridor are all in the $350k-$2 million range; I wonder what effect these trains will have on home prices given that it will be frequent, noisy and not accessible to the residents who have to live along it. What's even worse about this part of the rail corridor is that these homes don't have location going for them like those along the Washington ave. stretch of the rail corridor to help save their values. Aside from my own bias and desires, I really think they could rake in a lot of extra cash from having 1-2 suburban stops in each city that they only service every hour or two while other express trains skip on by them. It's a real bummer that it sounds like that won't be the case.

Edited September 8, 2015 by curbur

[BigFootsSocks]

http://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/08/texas-bullet-train-moving-forward-despite-obstacle/

 

.. .. . There goes any chance of this thing not being a huge detriment to Cypress. 62 trains a day means roughly 31 from each station, and a generous schedule of how long they'd be open per day let's say is 6am-12am, so (18*60)/31 is roughly every 35 min. You're telling me that all the newer Cypress neighborhoods south of 290 will have to wait 3-5 min EVERY 30 min to cross the tracks and get to where nearly all the restaurnts and major retail centers are located? Not to mention the majority of the homes going up within a mile south of this rail corridor are all in the $350k-$2 million range; I wonder what effect these trains will have on home prices given that it will be frequent, noisy and not accessible to the residents who have to live along it. What's even worse about this part of the rail corridor is that these homes don't have location going for them like those along the Washington ave. stretch of the rail corridor to help save their values. Aside from my own bias and desires, I really think they could rake in a lot of extra cash from having 1-2 suburban stops in each city that they only service every hour or two while other express trains skip on by them. It's a real bummer that it sounds like that won't be the case.

Oh where to start, where to start?!

 

So, let's go by chronological order of error's; first, the quoted article is referring to the "station area's" not the exact location. The cities where the train will stop are those three listed; there could/are/is an incredibly high probability that the major cities will have more than one station, as shown in the documents and press releases given by TCR. 

 

Now, let's get to my favorite part; the infamous "crossing's"!!!! So, as stated here, on TCR's website, by TCR reps, and pretty much every single article about this project there ARE NO AT-GRADE CROSSING'S. There is not a single place on this entire 240-mile trip where a car will have any chance to cross these tracks. 

 

As for noise; well, there's already a growing highway and a recently built highway that produce noise pollution at an increasing level for cars traveling at speeds of 65-80 mph. These trains will be traveling much faster, and will not take the same amount of time to pass a certain amount of distance 'x' that cars would, allowing for a much quicker, and less noticeable amount of noise.

[Naviguessor]

There are not any rail crossings across high speed rail.  And these trains will create a lot let noise than your average freight train and the noise that they do make will only last for a few seconds. 

[cspwal]

I do think the PR help of a lot of small intermediary stations might be a boon - don't change the alignment, just add a passing loop of track for a quarter mile for express trains to go around locals.  Not sure what the capital cost would be for that station, but a really simple station might just be the cost of the passing loop and some lumber.

[curbur]

These are fair points, but you know that it will affect some home buyers' opinion of the area still regardless.. I mainly just wanted a Cypress station to be honest :/. On another note, I wonder what this will do to the current roadmap plans of having Greenhouse extend to Skinner and having Mason and other Katy roads extend all the way up to 290 if this rail corridor is completed before they are.

Edited September 8, 2015 by curbur

[Luminare]

http://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/08/texas-bullet-train-moving-forward-despite-obstacle/

 

.. .. . There goes any chance of this thing not being a huge detriment to Cypress. 62 trains a day means roughly 31 from each station, and a generous schedule of how long they'd be open per day let's say is 6am-12am, so (18*60)/31 is roughly every 35 min. You're telling me that all the newer Cypress neighborhoods south of 290 will have to wait 3-5 min EVERY 30 min to cross the tracks and get to where nearly all the restaurnts and major retail centers are located? Not to mention the majority of the homes going up within a mile south of this rail corridor are all in the $350k-$2 million range; I wonder what effect these trains will have on home prices given that it will be frequent, noisy and not accessible to the residents who have to live along it. What's even worse about this part of the rail corridor is that these homes don't have location going for them like those along the Washington ave. stretch of the rail corridor to help save their values. Aside from my own bias and desires, I really think they could rake in a lot of extra cash from having 1-2 suburban stops in each city that they only service every hour or two while other express trains skip on by them. It's a real bummer that it sounds like that won't be the case.

 

About the type of train being used.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen

 

TCR's website which addresses all these issues which was research done by TCR, but you should be able to follow whatever footnotes to make your own conclusions:

 

http://www.texascentral.com/benefits/

 

http://www.texascentral.com/facts/

 

If you really want answers straight from the horses mouth than just email here:

 

info@texascentral.com

 

Best thing to do is instead of just tossing out your fears, bias, and desires before hand, do some investigation yourself. It doesn't take a lot out of your day to do some independent research if you think something will impact you. Most of your fears stem from simply not understanding the technology which is PERFECTLY OK! It behooves you to educate yourself on the topic before just tossing your concerns because you might find out that some are either unfounded or just unnecessary.

 

I hope that if we get another person like this in the future that doesn't know where to find info that instead of just telling them how wrong they are and instead point them in the right direction where info can be found.

 

I hope this helps you better inform/change you opinion.

[ADCS]

Media coverage outside the DMN seems to be slanted against the project. Any reason why that might be?

[Luminare]

Media coverage outside the DMN seems to be slanted against the project. Any reason why that might be?

 

Because its a juicer media story if there is people complaining and scared of things. If everyone just got along then it wouldn't make for good TV. It sucks that its that way, but its what helps with ratings. It also doesn't help that we live in an age where we don't have to get it from one source anymore and instead we can each stay in our own separate camps of for or against without any compromise. Its an issue in this project, but its a bigger societal issue as well.

[cspwal]

Some of the interesting tidbits from that Wikipedia article:

 - since the trains have more traction units, they can accelerate faster.  That should help if more stations are desired (e.g. multiple houston stations, enroute local stations)

 - the only noise pollution they mentioned was "tunnel boom" which I suspect won't be as common in Texas, as any hills might be cheaper to do a cut than a tunnel since the route isn't known as being very hilly

[BigFootsSocks]

These are fair points, but you know that it will affect some home buyers' opinion of the area still regardless.. I mainly just wanted a Cypress station to be honest :/. On another note, I wonder what this will do to the current roadmap plans of having Greenhouse extend to Skinner and having Mason and other Katy roads extend all the way up to 290 if this rail corridor is completed before they are.

Fair points? Bruh...those aren't valid opinions of merit...those are facts...

[BigFootsSocks]

Media coverage outside the DMN seems to be slanted against the project. Any reason why that might be?

Most of the articles churning out represent rural communities who think a high speed system is fully capable of stopping at every 5,000 population city along the way while retaining the "high speed" part of the name.

I mean, most of the articles bring up that guy from Texans Against High Speed Rail who only complain about hypothetical issues that they themselves create.

"We know they'll use Eminent Domain because there's private land and we won't sell"

Bro, I don't see you speaking for every single person out there when they're the ones offered hella cash for their land.

[cspwal]

New article discussing high speed trains, and the logic in station placements in US cities

 

http://www.wired.com/2015/09/america-can-learn-europes-high-speed-trains/

 

 

 

You cannot build a high-speed rail line to nowhere and expect it to attract enough passengers to be economically feasible. Many US cities, by sprawling over everywhere, are in a sense nowhere.

 

It suggests that to go along with a HSR system you also have to build up the public transit system, otherwise it won't be as useful.

 

Also 

 

 

California is the only place in the US where high-speed rail (HSR) plans are really moving forward

 

[BigFootsSocks]

https://www.bisnow.com/dallas-ft-worth/news/office/dallas-to-houston-bullet-train-could-attract-more-tenants-49822

[Montrose1100]

I'm confused. What does our port have to do with their airport? Our airports are almost as similar as the cities themselves. The port comment is irrelevant as well. Any and all freight will be moved by train and truck as they are now, and the HSR changes none of that.

There's not that many companies that deal with Maritime in Dallas. I'm pretty sure whatever minimal scheduling service companies they have in Dallas (and San Antonio), would really need to make a trip out to their barges. If they did, I bet they wouldn't fly or take the HSR.

Anyways, sorry for the complaints. Carry on.

[august948]

I'm confused. What does our port have to do with their airport? Our airports are almost as similar as the cities themselves. The port comment is irrelevant as well. Any and all freight will be moved by train and truck as they are now, and the HSR changes none of that.

There's not that many companies that deal with Maritime in Dallas. I'm pretty sure whatever minimal scheduling service companies they have in Dallas (and San Antonio), would really need to make a trip out to their barges. If they did, I bet they wouldn't fly or take the HSR.

Anyways, sorry for the complaints. Carry on.

 

I think they're talking about business travel that might involve the port, although the comment really seems to be saying Dallas has the better airport and we've got the port so tying the two cities together with hsr is going to make Texas overall a even better place to do business.  I guess they aren't aware of IAH, though.  Could be the author only flies Southwest into Hobby.

 

So if we've got an awesome airport AND the number one port in the US, do we really need hsr to Dallas?  Maybe we should run it to San Antonio instead.  SA is a lot more fun.

 

[BigFootsSocks]

Considering the outcome of last night's game...yes.